Union Corporate Affairs Minister M. Veerappa Moily has expressed happiness on the Cabinet decision approving the declaration of Mangalore airport as an international airport along with other four airports of the country. Dr. Moily said, Mangalore is the gate way of Karnataka and it has the potential to develop as an important commercial center next to Mumbai on the Western Coast. He said, the Mangalore Airport functioning since 1951 most deserved to be declared as international airport. Presently it has the facilities of handling 400 passengers in the Domestic arrival Hall and 150 international passengers in international hall. The Minster said he has been keenly pursuing the matter for a couple of years for its declaration as International Airport keeping in view of the benefit of the international commuters and also for the benefit of the region.